[ hap]
The etymology of this term is somewhat obscure, though we follow the OED in suggesting an etymon in the OF plonquier (Gdf 2,228a). The term is attested first in 1375 in a mixed Latin-AN context and attested from the late fourteenth century in AN, predating the first ME attestation by approximately 20 years. It is equally attested as a surname from the late fourteenth century. The form blunket is also attested in ME from a similar period and the change in initial consonant may have been influenced by the development of blanket, from the AN blanchet. The suffix –et was used in the production of a number of cloth terms; see blanchet, bluet, brunet, chamelet, russet (sub russaz) etc.